MOUNT HOLLY — In response to Burlington County’s request, nearly all of the 40 municipalities throughout the county have identified sites and developed plans for local Points of Distribution (PODs) to quickly distribute preventative medication to large numbers of people during a public health emergency.
The “Muni-PODs” would be activated during the same time period throughout the county so that all residents could receive their medication within a 48-hour time period, which could be crucial to saving lives.
Freeholder Stacey F. Jordan, who oversees the Health Department, presented proclamations to municipal representatives today, in recognition of National Preparedness Month.
“The local Emergency Management coordinators have been key to developing these plans; we could not have done it without them,” Ms. Jordan said.
Representatives from the county health department will be at the County Store in the Moorestown Mall on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. to answer questions and provide information about preparedness and PODs.
Local sites include:
Bordentown City, Carslake Center, 229 Crosswick St.; Hope Hose Humane Co. 1, 150 W. Burlington Street.
Bordentown Township, Bordentown Regional High School, 50 Dunns Mill Road.
Chesterfield, Chesterfield School, 295 Bordentown-Chesterfield Road.
Florence and Mansfield, Mansfield Municipal Building, 24548 East Main St.
New Hanover, Municipal Building, 2 Hockamick Road.
North Hanover, New Upper Elementary School, 351 Monmouth Road.
A list of the municipal PODs also can be found on the health department Web site, www.co.burlington.nj.us/health or residents can call 2-1-1 for their POD location.
“National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness among all residents about the importance of planning for emergencies, and we had our own real life preparation this month with Tropical Storm Hanna,” said Freeholder Director Aubrey A. Fenton.
“County and municipal staff and all agencies and areas involved prepared well with the opening of Emergency Operation Centers and responded quickly and effectively to the few minor road closures and power outages due to strong winds and heavy rains,” said Freeholder James K. Wujcik who oversees the Department of Public Safety.
County residents can also prepare for emergencies by volunteering for the Burlington County Medical Reserve Corps, Community Emergency Response Teams and the County Animal Response Team. These groups of ready volunteers are trained to assist the community with programs offered through the County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management.
For more information on volunteering, visit http://www.citizencorps.gov or call 609-265-5548. For more information on emergency preparedness, visit www.ready.nj.gov.

